Sensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilis
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Native, Wet Soils, Groundcover, Deer-resistant, and Low Maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Growth RateModerate
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Leaf Color
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT
Planting & Care Instructions
Planting & Care Instructions
Growing Zones 4-8
Sensitive Fern - Moving Moisture-Loving Lace!
The lacy Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is a lush, low-maintenance groundcover! This striking native Fern is known for its broad, vibrant green fronds and unique texture. Perfect for shady, moist areas, this fast-spreading perennial thrives in naturalized settings, offering a lush, woodland feel.
Its name comes from its sensitivity to frost, as the fronds wither with the first touch of cold. Despite this, its hardy underground rhizomes ensure it bounces back stronger each spring.
Key Features
- Foliage: Broad, lobed green fronds
- Mature Height: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Light Requirements: Partial shade to full shade
- Soil: Moist to wet, rich well-drained soil
- Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 4–8
- Native Plant: Ideal for naturalistic and woodland gardens
- Low Maintenance: Tolerates wet soil and requires minimal care
Landscaping With Sensitive Fern
The Sensitive Fern is perfect for woodland gardens, rain gardens, and moist, shady areas! Its ability to thrive in wet conditions makes it an excellent ground cover for pond edges, stream banks, and low-lying garden beds. Its bold, coarse-textured fronds create a stunning contrast with finer-leaved shade plants like hostas and astilbes.
- Woodland and naturalized shade gardens
- Rain Gardens
- Groundcover for damp areas
- Pond and stream edges
- Politely spreading, easy mass plantings and drifts!
Fern Care & Maintenance
Ferns are unique plants with a curious lifecycle. Caring for Sensitive Fern is easy, making it a great choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance perennial plant.
- Soil: Prefers consistently moist, rich, and well-drained soil
- Water: Keep soil wet or consistently moist, especially in dry periods
- Light: Partial to full shade for best growth
- Spacing: Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart to allow for natural spreading
- Pruning: Remove dead fronds in early spring to encourage fresh growth
Moving Moisture-Loving & Lacy Native!
Sensitive Fern is a versatile and hardy ground cover that brings lush, bold texture to shady garden areas. Whether you're filling in wet spots or creating a woodland retreat, this native fern is a reliable, attractive choice that requires little effort but delivers big impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does Sensitive Fern grow?
Sensitive Fern typically grows 3-4 feet tall, making it an excellent medium-height ground cover.
Is it deer-resistant?
Yes, Sensitive Fern is deer-resistant, though heavy browsing may occasionally occur.
What does "Sensitive" refer to?
The name refers to the plant's sensitivity to frost, causing its fronds to die back with the first frost of fall.
Where should I plant it?
It thrives in moist, shady locations such as woodland gardens, rain gardens, or stream banks.
Does it spread?
Yes, Sensitive Fern spreads through underground rhizomes, making it a great choice for naturalized settings.
